Essendon has confirmed Joe Daniher will miss the remainder of the season through injury. Picture: Getty Images

AFL

Heartbreak: Dons confirm worst for Daniher

by Jay Clark

23rd May 2019 12:13 PM

ESSENDON has been rocked by news that superstar forward Joe Daniher will miss the rest of the season and faces surgery.

The news on Thursday came just days after reigning best and fairest Devon Smith was told he also faced season-ending surgery.

In a devastating setback for the star full forward, Daniher has experienced more groin soreness and will play no further part in the 2019 campaign. The towering forward will likely require surgery for osteitis pubis.

Daniher said he was disappointed to be sidelined for the remainder of the 2019 season.

"Clearly I want to be out there with my teammates, but with the key people involved in this process we made the decision to go down this path with surgery more than likely," he said.

"I've felt like I have done everything I could to get back to this point, but with this relapse, our options are now exhausted, which is obviously disappointing.

"We'll know more next week in terms of the surgery, but my focus will now be on my rehabilitation process and supporting my teammates in any way I can off the field for the remainder of the season."

When fully fit, Daniher is the Dons most devastating forward. Picture: AAP

Daniher missed 15 games last season due to a groin injury that continued into the summer and restricted the gun goalkicker to light duties over the preseason.

The lengthy lay-off is a huge hit to the club's hopes of making finals and securing a breakthrough September victory.

The groin injury recurrence will also ignite speculation about Essendon's handling of Daniher, although he was rested for the round eight clash with the Sydney Swans.

Coach John Worsfold is under pressure to deliver the Bombers a top-eight berth with a bolstered midfield this season that includes star midfield recruit Dylan Shiel.

Daniher pushes himself during an Essendon training session. Picture: Getty

Without Daniher, the Bombers will rely heavily on equal leading goalkickers Jake Stringer and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (16 majors), as well as marking targets Mitch Brown, Shaun McKernan and James Stewart.

McKernan (hamstring) and Brown (wrist) are both pushing to make their returns from injury this week although it is unclear if they will be ready to play the Tigers.